DESERT SAFARI EXPERIENCE
Departure Days: Monday & Saturday Tour
Duration: 1 day

A brief overview of the tour

Descend to the Judean Desert via the Inn of the Good Samaritan, and view caves at Qumran. Meet the desert vehicle and drive to Metsuke Dragot, where we enter the desert with overview of Murabat wadi and the caves. Thereafter drive through the Wadi, the mountains, and view spectacular typical desert vegetation and landscape. End the tour with a swim in the Dead Sea. Late lunch stop for snacks/sandwiches on Dead Sea shore.

Important and useful notes

• Please be at your pick up point on time. There might be some delay (up to 20 minutes) due to traffic or other operational issues
• Bring hat, bathing suit, comfortable shoes.
• Recommended to bring water and light meal.
• Safety instructions before visiting in The Dead Sea

A detailed description of the tour

We leave Jerusalem and drive south as the landscape slowly changes from the built-up city to open rural farmland and wilderness. We pass Bedouin camps along the roadside and drive passed the Inn of the Good Samaritan and the ancient city of Jericho. As we near the Dead Sea we see the Dead Sea Scroll caves at Qumran. The caves can be clearly seen along the ridge of mountains close to the road. We make a pit stop at the Ahava Factory. Ahava is Israel's most famous producer of Dead Sea products, you can see the factory floor through a glass wall and also browse through a range of their beauty, spa and therapeutic products.

At this point you embark on your desert safari and are driven into the Judean Desert by 4X4 jeep. After driving through the desert over mountains and through dry valleys your guide will stop to show you a few of the desert plants which manage to thrive in this harsh climate. A little further through the sand and rock you'll stop to rest and learn about the local animal life. Your knowledgeable guide will point out the telltale signs of animal life in the desert and introduce you to these unique creatures. Depending on what season you travel in you will be able to see different plants, animal life and a slightly different landscape. You'll see the desert water sources and learn about the rivers and flash floods which can occur here in the wet season. The desert is far from just a dry landscape there are many hidden streams, oasis of lush plants and secret caves.

Now comes the part of the jeep trip that will get your adrenaline pumping. The jeep travels over rough terrain, over steep rocky hills and through dry river beds. After this thrilling adventure it is time to relax and experience the famous Bedouin hospitality. Escaping from the sun you can sit in the shade and drink tea or coffee and try some of the local cakes, dates and nuts. After your break it's time to continue the adventure, this time to Matsukei Dragot, the Dragot cliffs. Metzoke Dragot is the site of an ecological village perched high on the cliffs overlooking the Dragot Gorge. It is a popular place for extreme sports, climbing, snapling and of course 4X4 jeep excursions. From the cliffs there are stunning views across the Dead Sea. We also get to see the Murbaat Caves where ancient artifacts were found dating back to the 1st century AD. Artifacts discovered prove that the caves were used by the Jewish rebels during the Bar Kochba Revolt against the Romans. You continue through the desert landscape with its many colors, textures and terrain as we reach the end of our desert adventure.

Before heading back to Jerusalem we make a stop at the Dead Sea where you can wash off the desert sand and relax in the saline rich water. The Dead Sea is one of the wonders of the world, the lowest point on Earth and a truly surreal experience.